Archive for March, 2011

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Google, Partners Hope Chrome OS-Based Devices to Show Up in the H2 2011 – Media.

March 31st, 2011
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Google and its partners among hardware manufacturers reportedly indicated that the first devices to feature Chrome OS would be available in the late second quarter of the year. Google reportedly works separately with netbook/notebook makers to implement the operating system (OS) so that to enable advanced and exclusive functionality on each one.

As expected, the first PC manufacturers to introduce systems featuring Google Chrome operating system will be Acer, Asustek Computer, Sony Corp. and Samsung Electronics. The personal computers will feature 10″ to 12″ screens and will be based either on Intel Corp.’s Atom-based system-on-chip (SoC) or Nvidia Corp.’s Tegra 2 SoCs, according to DigiTimes web-site. Google works with each manufacturer in order to deliver “optimized experience”, reports Pocket-lint web-site.

Google Chrome OS will only ship on “specific hardware following deals struck between Google and the manufacturers”, which should allow them to ensure exclusive features and differentiators for their products. The Chromium OS (the open source development version of Google Chrome OS) will be available for the end-users, but this OS will not get similar level of support.

Pricing of Google Chrome-based laptops is expected to be between $250 and $600. There are reports that Acer’s and Asusteks’ netbooks will cost below $300, whereas Sony’s model will be priced at $499.

Netbooks featuring Google Chrome operating system were originally projected to hit the market in 2010, but due to bugs in the OS and other issues were delayed. One analyst said in early 2010 that systems powered by the Chrome OS would be more expensive than typical netbooks featuring Intel Atom and Microsoft Windows since additional hardware (e.g., high performance graphics, accelerometers and other sensors) would increase the bill of materials.

“There’s a serious challenge for Chrome, and I don’t think people will like it. PC OEMs say the hardware requirements – still under NDA – will make the systems actually more expensive than a Windows device, yet they don’t have anywhere near the applications support,” said Bob O’Donnell, vice president of client s and displays at IDC.

Source:http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/mobile/display/20110330111814_Google_Partners_Hope_Chrome_OS_Based_Devices_to_Show_Up_in_the_H2_2011_Media.html

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HP, Dell Execs Lash Out at Apple as PC Makers Feel iPad Pressure

March 31st, 2011
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For months we’ve been reporting that iPad sales are eroding demand for traditional PCs, such as netbooks. Little wonder then top executives have begun sniping at Apple as inflexible and only for consumers with oodles of cash. The most vocal sour grapes come from the sales and marketing heads at HP and Dell.

“I can say that it really feels like they’re [Apple] holding you hostage sometimes,” said Stephen DeWitt, senior vice president of HP’s Americas Solution Partners, talking in an interview about the difference between how the PC maker and the Cupertino, Calif. tech giant work.

DeWitt characterizes Apple as all about the sale and disconnected from retailers. “If you have an issue with HP you can pick up the phone and talk to someone. That’s something that’s impossible with Apple.” Perhaps HP is still smarting over an industry report released earlier this year showing Apple pushing HP out of the No. 1 slot for mobile PC sales? Then again, maybe HP’s anger is displaced. Recently, Google locked HP and others out of the new Honeycomb version of Android, forcing HP to rely on its questionable webOS platform.

DeWitt wouldn’t be alone in any Silicon Valley anger management class. Dell’s Andy Lark used the old class warfare argument against the iPad. The head of Dell global marketing for enterprises told an Australian interviewer it simply is “not feasible” to pay for a full-equipped iPad with keyboard, mouse and case.

“Apple has created a market and built up enthusiasm but longer term, open, capable and affordable will win, not closed, high price and proprietary,” Lark is quoted. But here’s the gem: “Apple is great if you’ve got a lot of money and live on an island.” Besides, “Android is already outpacing them [Apple],” Lark concludes.

Well, that certainly slams the book on the iPad, right? For Apple’s opinion, we’ll have to wait until April 20 when the company is set to release its second quarter numbers and presumably an indication of iPad demand.

Source:http://www.cultofmac.com/hp-dell-execs-lash-out-at-apple-as-pc-makers-feel-ipad-pressure/88614

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Hardware Really Matters for Computer Functionality and Security

March 31st, 2011
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may be stating the obvious to say that the hardware you use has a direct impact on the functionality of your IT. That is so fundamental of a statement it really goes without saying. But for some reason decision-makers gloss over the importance of hardware to security design. Why? The hardware you pick has a direct impact on the security of your enterprise.

This matters at even layer of your enterprise. From devices to networks to servers and storage. The hardware you use has security ramifications.

Consider, for example, Intel Corporation’s vPro technology. This is a capability that comes with modern PC’s. This component of hardware provides management features that enable systems administrators to exert control over devices to ensure computers are operating well and to ensure they are working securely. This capability enables remote management, security monitoring and updating of PCs. vPro has several components (my favorites are Intel Active Management Technology (AMT) and Intel Trusted Execution Technology (TXT). AMT is hardware that enables the secure remote management of enterprise PCs. TXT is the only technology I know of that verifies the launch environment and establishes a root of trust. TXT enables trust at a fundamental/foundational layer. Without it, no PC can be secure. With it, more secure, resilient systems can be configured and operated and entire enterprises can be made more resilient.

Source:http://www.sys-con.com/node/1774614

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Mercury Computer Systems Stock Hits New 52-Week High

March 31st, 2011
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Mercury Computer Systems (Nasdaq:MRCY) hit a new 52-week high Wednesday as it traded at $20.89 compared with its previous 52-Week high of $20.75. Mercury Computer Systems is changing hands at $20.85 with 14,000 shares traded as of 10:36 a.m. ET. Average volume has been 194,100 shares over the past 30 days.

Mercury Computer Systems has a market cap of $496 million and is part of the technology sector and computer hardware industry. Shares are up 11.2% year to date as of the close of trading on Tuesday.

Mercury Computer Systems, Inc. engages in the design, manufacture, and marketing of high-performance embedded, real-time digital signal and image processing systems and software for embedded, and other specialized commercial and defense computing markets. The company has a P/E ratio of 15.4, above the average computer hardware industry P/E ratio of 15.2 and below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 16.1.

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TheStreet Ratings rates Mercury Computer Systems as a buy. The company’s strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its compelling growth in net income, revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, notable return on equity and solid stock price performance. Although the company may harbor some minor weaknesses, we feel they are unlikely to have a significant impact on results. You can view the full Mercury Computer Systems Ratings Report.

Source:http://www.thestreet.com/story/11066616/1/mercury-computer-systems-stock-hits-new-52-week-high-mrcy.html

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Dell is among the companies in the computer hardware industry with the highest eps growth (dell, aapl, smci, cray, ssys)

March 31st, 2011
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Below are the top 5 companies in the Computer Hardware industry ranked by the year-over-year expected EPS growth rate. The long-term growth rate is the expected annual increase in operating EPS over the next three to five years.

Dell (NASDAQ:DELL) EPS is expected to grow 100.5% year-over-year, better than the company’s long-term growth rate of 7.8%. Based on the forward P/E of 8.8x its PEG ratio is 1.14, which signifies a premium valuation given for growth.

Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) EPS is expected to grow 57.7% year-over-year, better than the company’s long-term growth rate of 19.8%. Based on the forward P/E of 15.3x its PEG ratio is 0.77, which signifies a discount in value relative to growth.

Super Micro Computer (NASDAQ:SMCI) EPS is expected to grow 51.1% year-over-year, better than the company’s long-term growth rate of 13%. Based on the forward P/E of 14.1x its PEG ratio is 1.08, which signifies a premium valuation given for growth.

Cray (NASDAQ:CRAY) EPS is expected to grow 33.8% year-over-year, better than the company’s long-term growth rate of 15%. Based on the forward P/E of 16.1x its PEG ratio is 1.07, which signifies a premium valuation given for growth.

Stratasys (NASDAQ:SSYS) EPS is expected to grow 30% year-over-year, better than the company’s long-term growth rate of 19.4%. Based on the forward P/E of 54.1x its PEG ratio is 2.79, which signifies a premium valuation given for growth.

SmarTrend currently has shares of Super Micro Computer in an Uptrend and issued the Uptrend alert on October 01, 2010 at $10.98. The stock has risen 40.8% since the Uptrend alert was issued.

Source:http://www.zacks.com/research/get_news.php?id=089l3207

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Chilean clock-cooking could cause computer chaos

March 30th, 2011
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In what promises to provoke an entertaining IT apocalypse, the Chilean government has decided to postpone the end of daylight saving time by five weeks.

The clocks were due to go back an hour this weekend, but the powers that be have reset the date to 7 May.

According to interior minister Rodrigo Hinzpeter, the extra 60 minutes of daylight in the evening will “save energy, reduce crime and traffic accidents and improve Chileans’ quality of life”.

Hinzpeter went on to paint an idyllic picture of his fellow countrymen and women rushing from their workplaces to extract maximum benefit from the sunshine, but failed to spot the impending catastrophe.

The announcement of the date switch has serious implications for Microsoft users, since the company doesn’t have enough time to throw out a “hot fix” before the weekend. Not that users of other systems are likely to escape unscathed. Cue a Millennium Bug 2 scenario, with planes falling from the skies, nuclear power plants melting down and, most seriously, Outlook calendar users turning up an hour late for vital meetings.

Accordingly, Chileans won’t be enjoying much extra sunlight until they’ve manually synchronised computer hardware, PDAs and phones to the new time before the ominously-named “Delta Period” of extended daylight saving time rips a hole in the fabric of time and space.

Source:http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/03/29/chilean_clocks/

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Microsoft taps linguist in ‘App Store’ trademark spat

March 30th, 2011
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Microsoft has once again filed opposition to Apple’s efforts to trademark the phrase “App Store.”

In a new reply filed with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to get Apple’s trademark application refused, Microsoft rebutted Apple’s rebuttal from earlier this month. This is the same one Microsoft knocked for breaking the rules by being too long and using a smaller font size to get in more of an argument.

“The undisputed facts establish that ‘app store’ means exactly what it says, a store offering apps, and is generic for the retail store services for which Apple seeks registration,” the company wrote in today’s filing. “Apple does not contest that its other services are ancillary and incidental to its retail store services. Summary judgment should be entered denying Apple’s application in its entirety.”

In the nine-page document (PDF), Microsoft takes aim at Apple’s defense of the trademark, which made use of testimony from Robert A. Leonard to show that “App Store” was in fact a proper noun and had proven itself to be tied to Apple ahead of competitors.

Microsoft struck back in a separate declaration filed today by linguistic expert Ronald R. Butters that attempts to poke holes in Leonard’s claims, saying “the compound noun ‘app store’ means simply ’store at which apps are offered for sale,’ which is merely a definition of the thing itself–a generic characterization.”

Butters also knocks Leonard’s sourcing of online dictionaries that had spelled out Apple’s ties to the App Store moniker. “The online ‘dictionary’ sources Leonard cites were not written by established lexicographers and are without scientific authority,” Butters wrote. “Even so, he included an online source that does, in fact, define app store as a generic term.”

Microsoft’s legal battle against Apple over the use of the App Store name began in January, with Microsoft filing arguments that the phrase was too generic. Since then the companies have traded blows for and against the 2008 patent filing, with Microsoft attempting to preserve its general use, in part, to keep it from becoming a permanent part of Apple’s trademark portfolio.

Besides Apple’s legal tussle with Microsoft over the controversial trademark filing, the company has gone on the offense against Amazon for calling its new mobile software distribution marketplace the “Appstore,” filing a lawsuit just last week.

Source:http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-20048486-37.html

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